Category / Podcast Episode

Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry, Pacific Division, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Will the Golden State Warriors repeat? | TAF244

This week on The Atlantic Files, we continue our division previews with the defending champ Golden State Warriors and the Pacific Division, Doc Rivers gets horny on Twitter, a lot of new statement jerseys have been revealed, is the NBA’s punishment for the Phoenix Suns owner enough, additions and adjustments to the CBA, and Dennis Schroder heads back to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The divisional preview series continues as this week we take a look at the Golden State Warriors and the Pacific Division. While a lot of people seem to think the division goes through Los Angeles in either the Lakers or Clippers, we lean towards Golden State yet again. The top four teams in the Pacific all have some aging and health questions with all of their superstars, so it could just come down to a battle of who will be injured less.

Doc Rivers had a bit of a Twitter goof over the weekend. People found a handful of pornographic tweets in his likes and then the entire internet grabbed hold of it. The Sixers PR team said that his account was hacked, but come on now. Just say you accidentally liked some Tweets that you probably shouldn’t have and you’d probably get some more respect.

Statement jerseys, classic jerseys, and more have been released by most of the teams across the NBA. We took a look at most of them and said whether or not we actually liked them. Some of these jersey designs really need work because they’re going to have their team looking like garbage.

Then, there’s the terrible news of Robert Sarver, the Phoenix Suns owner. His punishment came down to a one-year suspension, but many big-name players didn’t agree with only one year. Many believe he should be kicked out of the NBA altogether.

Finally, the league and the player’s association are talking about some CBA adjustments. The eligible draft age is lowered back down to 18, there will be a more punitive luxury tax, and mental health will be an injury designation. The game keeps evolving!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro & Fantasy Football
00:06:18 Doc Rivers likes some explicit tweets
00:15:35 CBA adjustments – Lowering draft age, Mental health designation, etc.
00:33:50 Phoenix Suns owner, Robert Sarver, is the punishment enough
00:43:06 Thoughts on the new NBA statement Jerseys
00:55:33 2022-23 Pacific Division Preview – Golden State Warriors repeat chances
01:20:17 Dennis’s F/M/K scenario
01:24:49 Would you rather, Steph Curry edition

2022-23 NBA Northwest Division, Atlantic files, Nikola Jokic, Karl Anthony Towns
by Alex Fischbein

2022-23 NBA Northwest division preview | TAF243

This week on the Atlantic Files podcast, we begin our yearly division previews! This time, for the 2022-23 NBA season, we start with the Northwest division. We also talk about the proposal for an in-season tournament, the 2022 Hall of Fame inductees that includes Manu Ginobili and Tim Hardaway Sr., Danny Ainge’s comments about the Utah Jazz, and our weekly “Whatchu Got” segment!

In case you’ve just started tuning into the Atlantic Files, every year leading up to the start of a new season, we preview a division each week until we get to the best division of them all. Yes, that division is still the Atlantic.

This week, we kick things off with the Northwest division. Minnesota, Denver, Portland, Oklahoma City, and Utah all are included in this division for those who may not know off the top of their head.

We give our thoughts on the final standings of the division, which players and teams might be surprisingly good, and the others that will probably be terrible. It’s probably not too hard to guess the ones that won’t make the playoffs. Could this even be the worst division in the NBA?

There’s been talk of an in-season tournament that was proposed by the NBA. Could this really help the ratings for the NBA or would it just be another gimmick that no one will care about because it’s not the playoffs nor a real NBA Championship?

Manu Ginobili and the other 2022 Class of the Basketball Hall of Fame were inducted! The list had a bunch of great names that brought up some great memories. Congratulations to all of those that are now in the Hall!

Finally, we finished things off by talking about Danny Ainge’s comments on the Utah Jazz when he first got there and our weekly “Whatchu Got” segment. We brought up a Denver Nuggets discussion between current and past teams, as well as gave our thoughts on the new NBA 2K23 that came out.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:04:27 NBA in-season tournament proposal
00:27:31 Hall of Fame class of 2022 was inducted
00:37:49 2022-23 NBA Northwest division preview
00:51:33 Danny Ainge’s comments about the Utah Jazz
00:58:19 Thoughts on NBA 2K23 so far
01:01:17 Current Denver Nuggets vs Carmelo Anthony Denver Nuggets
01:08:05 Outro

Donovan Mitchell, trade, cleveland cavaliers, Atlantic files, podcast
by Alex Fischbein

Donovan Mitchell is finally traded to Cleveland | TAF242

This week on the Atlantic Files Podcast, Donovan Mitchell was finally traded and the New York Knicks saga is over. Should the Cleveland Cavaliers be considered a championship team now, Montrezl Harrell heads to the Philadelphia 76ers, Shaq says Kevin Durant is a failure outside of Golden State years, who will the next target be for the New York Knicks, Giannis, Jokic, and Luka all breaking records in EuroBasket, Rudy Gobert flashing improved post game during EuroBasket as well, and our weekly “Whatchu Got” segment!

Trading Donovan Mitchell was an entire saga this off-season. Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz were holding out for the most draft capital they could get. Finally, they decided to pull the trigger on a non-Knicks deal. The Cleveland Cavaliers swooped in with some more picks and pretty good young players to boot. Now, we might see Mitchell competing for an Eastern Conference Finals title.

Does this trade make the Cavaliers a surefire top-three seed though? Could they even realistically compete for a championship this season?

Now, the New York Knicks have to change their direction of which superstar to target. Which assets are they going to use now to find another disgruntled star? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be on the market if the Oklahoma City Thunder continue tanking like they are.

Speaking of players moving teams, Montrezl Harrell is now on his way to Philadelphia. The 76ers have been on the market for a backup big after Andre Drummond left. Especially since Doc Rivers never trusts Paul Reed, Harrell gives them another look behind Joel Embiid.

On Shaq’s podcast, he said that Kevin Durant is essentially a failure outside of his Golden State Warriors days. Is that even fair to say or is it way out of line?

EuroBasket has been moving full steam ahead and some of the NBA’s biggest stars have been showing out. Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have all been dominating and setting records. Even Rudy Gobert has been flashing an improved post game.

Finally, during our “Whatchu Got” segment, Dennis gives a prepared statement to the commenters on YouTube about Giannis Antetokounmpo, we offer our NBA Finals predictions, and talk about whether we’d pick Cade Cunningham or LaMelo Ball to lead a new team.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:04:27 Donovan Mitchell traded to Cleveland Cavaliers, NOT the Knicks
00:19:19 Are the Cleveland Cavaliers a top 3 seed in the East
00:26:30 The New York Knicks depth would suffer in Donovan Mitchell trade
00:31:10 Who should the New York Knicks target now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
00:36:54 Whose trade package was better, Knicks or Cavaliers?
00:43:28 Rudy Gobert improving post game
00:46:46 Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating EuroBasket 2022
00:50:47 Philadelphia 76ers sign Montrezl Harrell to 2-year deal
00:56:34 Is Shaq correct about Kevin Durant being a failure?
01:04:14 Dennis’ prepared statement about Giannis Antetokounmpo
01:09:05 2023 NBA Finals Predictions
01:12:57 LaMelo Ball or Cade Cunningham to start a new team
01:18:23 Outro

NBA 2k23, Patrick Beverley, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlantic files
by Alex Fischbein

NBA 2k23 ratings & Patrick Beverley trade | TAF241

This week on the Atlantic Files Podcast, we take a look at some NBA 2K23 ratings, give our best and worst ratings, predict some ratings, talk about the Patrick Beverley to Los Angeles trade, Gilbert Arenas comments about Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Wall admitting to some very dark days, RJ Barrett’s extension, and the Brooklyn Nets signing Markieff Morris.

NBA 2K23’s release date is fast approaching. The time is coming when everyone sees what all the players’ new ratings are and then the debates begin while everyone throws insults at the game developers who chose the ratings. Since the ratings aren’t officially out yet, we decided to look at the latest ratings from NBA 2K22 and then come up with who we think should be the new top ten in the latest game.

Patrick Beverley was shipped to Utah in the Rudy Gobert trade, but now he’s on the move yet again. The Los Angeles Lakers shipped out Stanley Johnson and Talen Horton-Tucker to bring in Beverley’s services. He even went on TV and said that if the Lakers had him on their team that they would have won the Finals. Time to put those words into existence.

Gilbert Arenas is making his rounds on the internet again. This time, he talked about how Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t really understand the game of basketball or understand how to train his body. Seeing as Giannis is a MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Champion, and Finals MVP, those are some interesting words. Is there any truth to them?

John Wall, in an interview, admitted that he was in a very dark place the last few years. His basketball future was up in the air, and that was bringing a dark cloud with it over his personal life. We’re all hoping he gets back to the John Wall we all knew and loved, and hopefully the dark days are a thing of the past.

We had a couple of signings in the last couple of days as well. RJ Barrett inked a nice extension with the New York Knicks for up to $120M and the Brooklyn Nets signed Markieff Morris to bolster their bench unit.

Finally, we revealed a stat that has only been accomplished by Russell Westbrook, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett in the last ten seasons!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:06:34 Patrick Beverley traded to the Lakers
00:20:01 NBA 2K23 ratings predictions
00:44:26 RJ Barrett signs extension with the Knicks
00:54:05 Markieff Morris signs with the Brooklyn Nets
00:56:57 John Wall talks about dark days in last three years
01:04:06 Gilbert Arenas comments on Giannis Antetokounmpo
01:20:40 Russell Westbrook, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett have something in common
01:27:10 Outro

RJ Barrett, Donovan Mitchell, New York Knicks, trade, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Should RJ Barrett be traded for Donovan Mitchell?

One of the latest rumors surrounding the New York Knicks trading for Donovan Mitchell is the fact that they are now giving more thought to trading away RJ Barrett. A player who was untouchable before, as the team’s best asset, could very well be on the table now.

Donovan Mitchell and the Knicks have been linked now for quite a while. At this point, it would be shocking if the Knicks didn’t make this trade.

The biggest question surrounding this deal is how many assets Leon Rose and the Knicks are willing to give up. Danny Ainge reportedly wants a ton of draft capital. Now, RJ Barrett is also in the mix along with names like Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, and Obi Toppin.

Should RJ Barrett even be included in this trade from New York’s point of view? Barrett is the best non-draft pick asset they have right now. So, they will include him and multiple picks that the Utah Jazz wants to be unprotected?

Something isn’t exactly adding up. Ainge continues to brag about how he “never loses a trade,” but at some point, another General Manager has to stand their ground and say no to his insane trade proposals. The Knicks aren’t good enough right now to trade their entire future. Picks and younger assets are all important for their long-term success.

Keeping RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, and even Julius Randle should be at the top of the list when adding Donovan Mitchell. Having a core four of those guys is going to give them the best chance to compete if they have to trade a bunch of their picks.

Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, RJ Barrett, New York
by Alex Fischbein

Kevin Durant stays, RJ Barrett leaves? | TAF240

On this week’s episode of the Atlantic Files, we talk about Kevin Durant yet again as he decides to take back everything and stay with the Brooklyn Nets, the New York Knicks are thinking of including RJ Barrett in a Donovan Mitchell trade, Chet Holmgren might have ligament damage, plus more during ‘whatchu got!’

The Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets saga is finally over. After some sort of meeting between Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, Joe Tsai, and Sean Marks, they decided to run it back. Being a fly on that wall would have been something. Either way, this whole drama show was for nothing.

On the other side of New York, the New York Knicks have still been in talks with the Utah Jazz about Donovan Mitchell. RJ Barrett is the latest name that could be included in that haul for Utah. Should the Knicks even consider trading their best asset though? Some think Barrett isn’t even that good in the first place, so why would Danny Ainge want him?

Very disheartening news came out after all of this. Chet Holmgren is now out for the season with a Lisfranc injury. At the time of the recording, the tests weren’t done just yet, but it seemed like it was headed for a season-ending injury. Such an unfortunate way for a player’s season to end in just a pro-am game that didn’t mean anything.

Then, we got to our “Whatchu Got” segment. Topics included who we thought was going to have the biggest breakout season, whether the Denver Nuggets are a Western Conference contender, and which players under 25 have the biggest potential peak!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:05:36 Happy Mamba day!
00:11:19 Kevin Durant is staying in Brooklyn
00:30:08 Should the New York Knicks trade RJ Barrett
00:42:43 Chet Holmgren is out for the season
00:54:01 Who will have the biggest breakout season in the NBA
00:59:21 Are the Denver Nuggets a Western Conference contender
01:04:47 Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, and Trae Young, whose ceiling is higher
01:14:42 Outro

2022 NBA Christmas Day, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

2022 NBA Christmas Day breakdown | TAF239

This week on the Atlantic Files, we breakdown the leaked NBA Christmas Day schedule that has three Atlantic teams playing this season, the Brooklyn Nets’ absurd trade offer to the Boston Celtics, Kyrie Irving’s ridiculous contract demands, the NBA retiring Bill Russell’s number, Tracy McGrady ripping Rudy Gobert, whether the Philadelphia 76ers should really consider trading for Kevin Durant, and we debut a new segment!

Leaks were going crazy on Twitter before the NBA finally released the whole schedule. Plus, at the time of this recording, the whole schedule wasn’t released just yet. We saw a sneak peek of the 2022 NBA Christmas Day schedule, so we decided to break down the five games this year. Some are repeats, but we get to see a couple of new faces as well.

In case you haven’t heard, the Brooklyn Nets made an absurd trade offer to the Boston Celtics. They seriously tried to get Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in return for Kevin Durant. Either they got some bad inside information, or they’re just blindly throwing darts at a board and seeing if it lands a bullseye.

Kyrie Irving, in just as absurd fashion, brought up some contract demands when negotiating with Brooklyn’s front office. He requested to only be on the hook for 60 games at the most including no back-to-backs at all. So instead of deciding not to play in the middle of the season, he’s deciding early on that he’s just not going to want to play the whole time. What a guy!

Bill Russell passed away a couple of weeks ago now, and the NBA decided to honor him. They retired his jersey league-wide, which was an awesome decision by Adam Silver and company.

On Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, Tracy McGrady made some big statements about Rudy Gobert’s work ethic and skill. He ripped into him in a way that a lot of media personalities wouldn’t, but he was spot on with every word!

Finally, we debut our new segment called “Whatchu got?!” Each host brings a topic to debate but they do not share the topic with each other beforehand. It’s fresh and right on the spot. Enjoy!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:19 2022 NBA Christmas Day game schedule
00:28:19 Brooklyn Nets trade offer to get Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum
00:35:07 Should the Sixers trade for Kevin Durant?
00:48:01 Kyrie Irving has crazy contract demands
00:53:59 NBA retiring Bill Russell’s number is perfect
00:55:23 Tracy McGrady rips Rudy Gobert’s skill and work ethic
01:00:32 Can Nikola Jokic pass Dirk Nowitzki for best Euro in NBA History
01:04:47 No NBA games on election day, will that help people vote?
01:10:28 Would you rather, Tracy McGrady edition
01:19:53 Outro

Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, Sean Marks, Joe Tsai, Brooklyn Nets, Atlantic Files, Podcast
by Alex Fischbein

Kevin Durant issues an ultimatum to Brooklyn Nets | The Atlantic Files Ep238

On this week’s episode of The Atlantic Files, Kevin Durant issued an ultimatum to Joe Tsai and the Brooklyn Nets, tampering investigations are underway for the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, Dejounte Murray and Paolo Banchero have beef, players standing out in pro-am’s and workouts, and we talk about our 30-team fantasy basketball league!

Another chapter in the Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets saga is being written before our eyes. Durant met with Nets Owner, Joe Tsai, and issued an ultimatum. He said he has to fire Steve Nash and Sean Marks if they want to keep him. The same guy that vouched for Nash in the first place now wants him fired otherwise he still wants to be traded. He really wants to make sure his legacy goes further into the dumpster now.

We joked around a few weeks back when there were tampering rumors for the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, but now these tampering investigations are actually happening. Jalen Brunson and PJ Tucker are the two signings mainly being investigated, but if only second-round picks are the only things up for grabs as punishment, then why even carry out this whole investigation? It’s all pointless in this day and age.

In case you haven’t seen it yet, Dejounte Murray and Paolo Banchero are in a full-blown beef. There seem to be some background parts of it that no one has heard or seen, but it blew up at a Seattle Pro-Am game and now Atlanta Hawks versus Orlando Magic games just got that much more entertaining. Everyone talked about the NBA being soft, now we got an up-and-coming player going right at a rookie, and people are calling him crazy. Let’s bring beef back!

Finally, Alex and Dennis are in a 30-team fantasy basketball league. It’s very involved with salary caps, and auction drafts, and it’s also a dynasty league on top of everything! They give their initial thoughts on the league and show their teams as well.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:06:10 John Collins, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, poor showings in Pro-Ams
00:19:24 Kevin Durant gives Joe Tsai & Brooklyn Nets an ultimatum
00:33:32 Tampering investigations started on New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers
00:41:29 Dejounte Murray and Paolo Banchero already have beef!
00:48:04 30-team fantasy basketball league thoughts
01:08:49 Answering viewers questions about Kyrie Irving and the Nets
01:16:40 Outro

Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, trade, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant is dumb | The Atlantic Files Ep237

This week on the Atlantic Files podcast, we talk about the rumors surrounding a trade between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets that would swap Jaylen Brown and Kevin Durant, whether or not Miles Bridges will play in the NBA ever again, Jerry West vs JJ Redick, Collin Sexton not getting any free agency attention, and John Collins fouling out of the Drew League!

The latest rumor around the NBA is that the Boston Celtics offered a package of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and other assets to the Nets for Kevin Durant. Brown took to Twitter to voice his displeasure about the rumor. If Boston is really contemplating a deal like this, they are flat-out dumb. A team who just reached the NBA Finals and had a fighting chance to win the Finals does not need to be blown up just for one player. Don’t get too carried away Brad Stevens.

In other news, one of Mike’s previous favorite players fouled out and lost in the Drew League. That’s none other than John Collins. We’ve had debates about Collins against Julius Randle in the past, but Collins keeps proving he’s not worth the contract.

Speaking of worth the money, Collin Sexton seems to be a player that should be worth a medium-sized contract. The fact that he got pretty much zero buzz in free agency was quite mind-boggling. Whether it was either rumors of a sign-and-trade or just other teams offering a contract in general, we didn’t hear a single thing. Wonder how he’ll end up proving himself again in Cleveland next season.

Miles Bridges, which we’ve talked about in the past episode, has officially been brought up on charges. So, we took this time to ponder whether or not he’ll play another game in the NBA.

Finally, there has been some beef between JJ Redick and Jerry West. Redick hit a soft spot when he said basketball was just a bunch of “plumbers and firefighters” back in the day. West is firing back, saying Redick didn’t even have a great career and couldn’t hold a candle to players like himself. This one is fun!

Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
01:12 Boston Celtics should not trade Jaylen Brown
04:49 Talent gap between Jaylen Brown and Devin Booker
06:56 Why Boston would be dumb to get Kevin Durant
19:17 Is the East stronger than the West in 2022-23?
20:46 John Collins fouls out and loses in Drew League
26:51 Will Miles Bridges ever play in the NBA again?
28:26 Collin Sexton not getting any free-agency buzz
33:16 JJ Redick and Jerry West beef
38:34 Closing thoughts

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant, Summer League, Atlantic Files
by Alex Fischbein

Jalen Brunson, Brooklyn Nets, & Summer League | The Atlantic Files Ep236

This week on the Atlantic Files, we’re talking Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks and the potential tampering charge, the continuing drama surrounding the Brooklyn Nets, all of our NBA Summer League takeaways and observations, Bobby Marks suggesting the Philadelphia 76ers should be investigated, and the Phoenix Suns matching Deandre Ayton’s offer sheet.

To start everything off, it was more than necessary to talk about the NBA Summer League and all the prospects trying to show why they deserve a shot in the NBA. Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero had such a great showing that the teams felt comfortable shutting them down early. Outside of the top three, there were a lot of surprises both good and bad.

Brigining it back to the players who are already established, the New York Knicks seem to have a tampering charge on the way. If the whole hiring of his father to the coaching staff didn’t raise a red flag in the first place, then I’m not sure what else to say. The Knicks seem to have a need to tamper to really get bigger names to come there, so it was only inevitable!

Then, the Philadelphia 76ers get roped into all the tampering talk. Mark Stein wrote about how the Sixers will likely be investigated for the PJ Tucker signing, and Bobby Marks proclaimed that they should be investigated for James Harden taking less money on his contract. If this is really all about just the Tucker signing… Well, there should be better ways to waste the NBA’s time and money. As far as the Harden paycut goes, it sounds as though Marks is more salty than anything else.

Switching back to New York, we have the Brooklyn Nets drama series continuing with a looming future of running it back with the same core. Kevin Durant’s trade options are drying out, Kyrie Irving’s only option so far has been the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Nets haven’t seen anything that they actually like. I guess it comes down to playing with whatever they already have on the team.

Finally, the Phoenix Suns matched the offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers to keep Deandre Ayton around for much longer and for much more money than previously expected. This is part of the reason why it looks like Durant isn’t going to be traded, but now the Suns have some decisions to make. Where do they go now to try to get back to the NBA Finals?

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:11 2022 NBA Summer League analysis
00:27:42 Sixers and PJ Tucker investigated for tampering
00:34:50 New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson also tampering
00:43:36 Brooklyn Nets running it back now?
00:55:13 Phoenix Suns match Deandre Ayton’s offer sheet
01:00:27 NBA Play-in games are here to stay
01:04:05 What’s for dinner?